Building Healthier, Stronger Communities for Children and Young Adults
CareSource Invitationals are a series of exhibition and regular season college basketball games dedicated to raising awareness and funds for adolescent and young adult mental health and suicide prevention. Centered around the message, “it’s ok to not be ok,” the games aim to normalize mental health conversations nationwide, helping to create safe, supportive environments where young people feel empowered to seek help and thrive.
Launched in 2023 in Dayton, Ohio, the inaugural game raised funds to support critical community initiatives, including Jay’s Light a fund that connects families to mental health resources. Following the success of the inaugural game, CareSource has expanded the initiative with a bold vision to increase access to mental health support across communities nationwide.
Nearly 40% of students experienced persistent feelings of sadness and hopelessness, 29% experienced poor mental health, 20% seriously considered attempting suicide, and 10% attempted suicide, according to a recent study1. The CareSource Invitationals aim to reach these students—with the help of their trusted coaches, teachers, and mentors—to spread a message of hope and resilience. Each CareSource Invitational pairs college basketball games with high school pep rallies in local communities. The pep rallies deliver engaging mental health education and raise awareness of resources that can provide much-needed support. Since 2023, the CareSource Invitationals have reached over 10,000 high school students and over 100,000 college basketball fans in communities across the country. The final game of the 2025 series was televised to millions of people nationwide.
Breaking the Stigma by Integrating Sports and Mental Health Education
CareSource is committed to improving the physical and mental well-being of its members at every stage of life. The CareSource Invitationals reflect that mission—helping young people build a strong foundation for mental health by providing the support they need to break the stigma and lead more resilient lives. This work is more important than ever, as rates of poor mental health and suicide-related behaviors among adolescents continue to rise1.
College athletes are not immune to these challenges2. Through the integration of sports and mental health education, CareSource aims to highlight the link between physical and mental well-being, while giving coaches and athletes a platform to share their own mental health stories and serve as positive role models for young fans.
Organizations that Change Lives
The CareSource Invitationals were inspired, in part, by Jay’s Light, a fund that connects families to mental health resources. Jay’s Light was founded by University of Dayton Head Basketball Coach Anthony Grant and his wife Chris in memory of their daughter, Jay, who died as a result of mental illness at the age of 20. Since 2023, the CareSource Invitationals have raised over $500,000 to support Jay’s Light and other mental health organizations and initiatives across the country.
Learn more about our partner organizations
A Growing Movement
What began as a sold-out charity benefit game between the University of Dayton and Ohio State University in 2023, has grown into a multi-game, multi-state series. In 2026, the CareSource Invitationals will continue to grow, reaching more communities across the country.
Stay tuned for more information on the 2026 games.
